Australia Student Visa Requirements
Studying in Australia is the best way to explore the Australian way of living at the same time developing new skills. As a student willing to apply for student visa in Australia you firstly need to check if you meet all the requirements and should apply for Student Visa (Subclass 500) on Department of Home Affairs Website.
Subclass 500 visa holders in Australia will be allowed to:
- participate in an eligible course of study
- bring family members to Australia
- and stay Up to 5 years and in line with your enrolment
- can only work up to 40 hours in a fortnight
- should hold Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
The following is a list of documents required to apply for an Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500)
- A valid passport
- Passport sized photograph
- ECOE (Electronic Confirmation of Enrollment)
- Academic documents
- Work experience certificates (if applicable)
- Evidence of English Language Proficiency Tests (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE etc.)
- Evidence of Financial ability (which should cover your ability to pay tuition fees, living expense, health insurance, return airfare)
- Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) statement
- Details of OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover)
- Statement of Purpose
- Under 18 students should provide parental consent documents and proof of accommodation.
These are the basic requirements for applying for a student visa to Australia. You may need to satisfy other additional requirements if necessary.
We at Edwise Foundation will support you from an initial stage of your application to university/college until visa application. Our team of experts will guide you in every step and follow the visa guidelines very strictly to make your application strong and hassle free.
What can I do with as an Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500 ) holder?
You are allowed to:
- participate in an eligible course of study
- bring family members to Australia
- and stay Up to 5 years and in line with your enrolment
- can only work up to 40 hours in a fortnight
- should hold Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
Australia Student Visa process
Australian Government provides the opportunity to study in Australia to all the students around the world. The steps below will help you to understand the process for getting an Australia student visa.
1. Career Counseling/Consultation
The first step for applying for a student visa to Australia is getting detailed information about the country, visa process, English language requirements for your desired course, financial and academic requirements, etc.
2. Test Preparation
Start preparing for your English language proficiency test (IELTS/TOEFL/PTE) and sit for your test.
3. Documents required for Admission Offer Process
After you secure the required scores in your IELTS/TOEFL/PTE, start your application for an Offer Letter. Please make sure you know what courses you are going to study at which level and which university you are applying to.
4. Documents required for an Australian Student Visa Application:
- Complete academic documents
- Passport
- IELTS/TOEFL/PTE score sheet.
- Work experience (if any)
- University/Colleges application form
- Statement of Purpose
- Marriage certificate (if married)
- Time to receive offer letter is between 1 day to 4 weeks. Some universities/colleges may take interview via phone call, skype or zoom.
5. Receiving Offer Letter
After assessing your application and if you meet all the requirements, the university/college usually provides the conditional offer letter. A conditional offer letter means you should satisfy the mentioned conditions in your offer letter (usually financial documents, and sometimes may require some additional documents) for admission.
6. Financial Documentation
For a student to apply for a student visa in Australia, they need the proof of financial documents that they are capable to pay the tuition fees, living expenses and other expenses during their studies in Australia.
Thus, you need to provide the proof of you being financially strong.
7. GTE Approval Request
You need to provide GTE (Genuine Temporary Entrant) documents to the university/college for verification. GTE documents include proof of funds and financial documents, SoP and other required documents mentioned in your conditional offer letter. Your university/college may take your interview.
8. Payment of Fees
After the university/college approves your GTE, you need to proceed for payment of tuition fees and other fees as mentioned in your offer letter.
Also, you need to obtain No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Ministry of Education at this stage. NOC is required by banks in Nepal to transfer your fees to foreign universities.
9. Electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCOE)
After the payment is received by the university/college, you will be provided an eCOE (Electronic Confirmation of Enrolment). The eCOE is a letter issued by the university in support of your application for a student visa.
10. Visa Application Lodgment
The final stage of your application process is visa application. The visa application for Australia is lodged online.
11. Visa Interview Preparation
The Australian High Commission may take interview and ask questions regarding your documents, financials, reasons to study in Australia, future plans etc.
We suggest you to prepare for your interview after you lodge your visa application with the help of your consultancy or with experts.
12. Visa Decision
This is the moment you have been waiting for and always hope the result to be positive. There are always 2 outcomes of the visa:
- Visa Granted: – Start celebrating and prepare for your journey to Australia.
- Visa Refused: – You probably don’t want to hear this. There may be various reasons for your visa refusal and you may want to review your application and asses where you went wrong.
- Refund Process (if visa refused): – If your visa is refused you need to send an application to your university/college for refund of amount you deposited for your eCOE. It may take anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks to get your amount refunded.
13. On Arrival Support
We recommend you to arrive in Australia 2-3 days before your orientation so that you have enough time to make yourself comfortable in Aussie climate.
Also, you should contact your university/college as soon as your visa is approved for arranging accommodation and contact at least a week prior for an airport pickup. Alternatively, you can also choose not to stay on campus accommodation and stay with your family/friends.
14. Attending Orientation
You need to attend the orientation of your university/college where you get chances to meet other students, teachers and get clear idea of how to start your study journey. You will also be provided with information about the rules and regulations and services offered by the institution.
Now, you are all set to start your study in Australia and we wish you all the best for your future ahead!
Australia student visa application fees
The student visa application fee for Australia is paid after you lodge your visa online in Australian Government, Department of Home Affairs website. You can check our blogs for the requirement and process to apply a student visa.
The application fee for student visa (subclass 500) is currently AUD 620. The visa fees are reviewed every year on 1st July. There may be additional fees if you are applying with your dependents. Please check the Australian Government, Department of Home Affairs website for more details.
CoE for Australia Student Visa
CoE (Confirmation of Enrollment) is a letter issued by the university in support of your application for a student visa.
It contains the information about yourself and your education provider, the program you are accepted for, duration of the program, tuition fees, your English test details and details of Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
When will you receive your COE?
University/Colleges will issue your COE after you meet all the admission requirements and pay your tuition deposit.
Can I apply my student visa without a COE?
No, your education provider must issue a COE for you to apply your student visa.
Australia Student Visa Processing Time
As a student willing to apply for student visa in Australia you firstly need to check if you meet all the requirements and should apply for Student Visa (Subclass 500) on Department of Home Affairs Website.
After applying for the visa you will then need to wait for the decision and the time to receive a decision may vary.
Processing time for Australian visa depends on various factors such as:
- Whether you have provided all required documents
- How quickly you can respond to additional requests or information
- How long will it take for officials to verify your provided information
- The load of applications
It is strongly recommended to apply more than a month in advance before start date of your class. And you should always keep an eye on current processing times on the Department of Home Affairs website.
Minimum IELTS score for Australia student visa
To study in Australia, every educational institution requires students to meet the minimum language requirement. English language tests ensures that the students possess the required skills to read, write, speak and understand the English language.
The minimum IELTS requirement is differed between education providers. Some of the courses like Nursing, Law or Education tend to have higher requirement than other courses. For those who are unable to meet the requirement for the desired courses, they have English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) as an option as a pathway.
Generally, students need to meet following minimum IELTS requirements for:
- Diploma: – Overall 5.5 with no band less than 5.0
- Bachelor: – Overall 6.0 with no band less than 5.5
- Master: – Overall 6.5 with no band less than 6
- Nursing: – Overall 7.0 with no band less than 7.0
We strongly suggest you to contact your education provider or education consultancy for getting correct information about IELTS requirement of your desired course.
Australia Student Visa Checklist
The important step in your Australian visa application is document submission. The Australian High Commission usually asks you to submit notarized or certified copies of original documents.
A little mistake while submitting your documents may have a negative effect on your visa application.
Thus, Before you apply for an Australian student visa make sure to consult with an expert or check the Department of Home Affairs visa checklist tools.
Usually, you need to submit following documents while applying a Australian Student Visa:
- A valid passport
- Passport sized photograph
- ECOE (Electronic Confirmation of Enrollment)
- Academic documents
- Work experience certificates (if applicable)
- Evidence of English Language Proficiency Tests (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE etc.)
- Evidence of Financial ability (which should cover your ability to pay tuition fees, living expense, health insurance, return airfare)
- Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) statement
- Details of OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover)
- Statement of Purpose
- Under 18 students should provide parental consent documents and proof of accommodation.
FAQS – Australian student visa
What is an Australian student visa?
An Australian student visa, or subclass 500 visa, is a temporary visa for international students who want to study in Australia. To be eligible for this visa, you must:
What documents do I need for the application?
To apply for an Australian student visa, you’ll need to gather several important documents.
The specific documents required will depend on your nationality and the type of visa you’re applying for, but here are some of the essentials:
Proof of Enrollment
Proof of Funds
Passport
Health Insurance
Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) Statement
Evidence of English proficiency
Who needs to apply for an Australian student visa?
If you plan to study in Australia for more than 3 months, you'll need to obtain the proper student visa. This includes:
International students from outside Australia
Onshore international students already in Australia who want to change their visa type to a student visa
Dependents of international students also need to apply for student visas.
What are the eligibility criteria for an Australian Student Visa?
To be eligible for an Australian Student Visa, you must meet several criteria. The main requirements are:
English Language Proficiency
Genuine Temporary Entrant
Financial Capacity
Course Enrollment
Health Insurance
How long does an Australian student visa take to process?
Once you've submitted a complete application, processing time can vary from a couple of weeks up to a couple of months depending on the time of year and country you're from.
The Australian government aims for a 4 to 6 weeks processing time for most student visas. However, the earlier you apply the better, especially if your course starts soon after your intended date of travel.
Do you want help with your visa application to Australia?
To get started, fill out Edwise Foundation's free assessment form on their website. They will review your information and schedule a consultation to discuss visa options, documentation needed, application timelines, and costs. Edwise Foundation's services include:
Help to determine the best visa type for your needs (student, work, partner, etc.)
Preparing your application and all supporting documents
Liaising with Australian immigration on your behalf
Providing interview coaching and mock interview sessions
Securing health insurance and accommodation if needed
How do you apply for an Australian student visa?
The application process involves several steps:
Check your eligibility and gather the required documents like proof of enrollment, health insurance, etc.
Complete the online application form for your chosen student visa subclass.
Attach all necessary documents to your online application. These include:
Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE) issued by your education provider
Evidence of health insurance coverage
Proof of financial ability to cover tuition and living costs
Passport biodata page and,
English language test results (if required)
Submit your student visa application on the Department of Home Affairs website.
Pay the application fee.
Get your Biometrics done.
You may also receive a telephonic interview, prepare for it.
Wait for the visa decision. In most cases, you can expect a decision within 4 to 6 weeks.
After you receive your visa, you can then make arrangements to travel to Australia.
What happens if my visa application is rejected?
Uh oh, getting that dreaded visa rejection letter is disheartening. But don’t lose hope! There are a few things you can do.
Reapply for a new visa
Consider other visa options
Why is my Australian visa rejected?
Your Australian visa application was refused for a reason. It’s frustrating, but understanding why it was rejected is key to approving your next application.
Application errors or omissions
Financial concerns
Character concerns
Health requirements
How long does the application process take?
The Australian visa application process can take anywhere from a few days to several months depending on the type of visa you need and the time of year. In general, you should apply at least a month before your trip to allow enough processing time.
How long each visa takes?
Visitor visas (subclass 600) typically take around 10-15 days to process. During peak seasons like December to February, it may take 3-4 weeks.
Work and Holiday visas (subclass 462) can take up to 8 weeks. The earlier you apply the better.
Student visas (subclass 500) usually take 4 to 6 weeks to finalize but can take 2-3 months during peak periods. Plan ahead!
Can I extend my Student Visa?
As an international student in Australia, your initial student visa will typically be granted for the standard duration of your study program.
However, there are circumstances where you may need or want to extend your student visa beyond the original end date. The good news is that student visa extensions are often granted if you meet the eligibility criteria.
To extend your student visa, you'll need to apply for a new visa through the Department of Home Affairs website. You can apply for a new student visa up to 2 months before your current visa expires.
When should I apply for an Australian Student Visa?
As an international student hoping to study in Australia, one of the most important steps is applying for your student visa. The visa application process can take some time, so it's best to start as early as possible.
For most students, the Australian government recommends applying for your student visa at least 3-4 months before your course starts. This will ensure you have enough time to submit your application, schedule any required medical exams, and allow for processing and approval of your visa. If possible, apply even earlier, up to 6-7 months ahead of time.
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